‘’Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’’- Nelson Mandela

These are the powerful words of Tata. Our fallen hero. The continents and world’s fallen hero. A man who between anger, revenge, bitterness; chose forgiveness, love and unity. A man who looked at the continent and knew that education is what would change the state we were and are in. Hail Madiba!

Lesson about the sacrifices made by Mandela and the way he championed for education aside.

Why are you here-reading this article? Could it be the title on our mainstream media on 10^th November?

‘Kakamega County ranked the poorest scoring 42.9% of the 47 counties’; in a report released by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Ann Waiguru along with her counterparts.

Could it be because we contribute 4.8% to national poverty with 805,900 of our people living below the poverty line? What a revealing statistic!

Why are you reading this article?

Oh! Because, we have now realized that poverty is our number one enemy. For years our families were not fortunate enough to afford food-speak of boiled beans (omnuye) for supper, breakfast and lunch. Tattered uniforms, exposing the hard, coal like buttocks. Grass thatched huts with part of the roof caving in, letting in rain. Bear feet school going children. After all this time, we just didn’t know we are poor.

Why are you reading this article?

Even as we registered a low voter turnout. With 1,660,651 people and the second most populous county in Kenya, now the poorest, we registered only, 602,950 voters of which over 100,000 did not turn up to vote. We have always asked ourselves where people go when it’s time to register and vote. (Gee) could it be they are too busy working for food-probably after days of starvation?

Why are they selling their votes for 50/- worth? Could it be they are securing that instant gratification-a week’s, month’s meal? I wonder.

Why are you reading this article?

Oh... you are embarrassed at the statistics. I know I am. More of disappointed let alone embarrassed. We have been hung out to dry. Our dirty shorts exposed to the world. Our hopelessness exposed followed by a kick in the teeth. Yes, that is right. We have finally received what we deserve after all this while, haven’t we. Always playing it safe, lack of resolve and initiative.

But provided you are reading this article, I am happy. It is an indication that we are going to win this battle. So, keep reading.

I am happy that you and I are wide awake-thanks to the rude shake from slumber, we have received from the government. More like a kick in the stomach. I would like you to be wide awake for what I will say, will determine the people we become. What is done is done.

Forget the report. Forget the agenda behind the report. Forget what the numbers are saying. Forget the politics circumnavigating the report. Forget it all. Focus on this instead; what next?

We have been undressed in public and depending on our endowments, people will either still want to associate with us or treat us like a plague.

Similar to that girl you are chasing when she sees you naked for the first time unexpectedly. If she looks at you the same way or not at all or with admiration-it depends on your endowments. Are we endowed? Often I have heard that poverty is infectious-lest we spread our condition to other counties. What next?

There are three actions we can take.

One, filled with self-pity, we could lie down and die-words I borrow from my High school principal, Mr. Odera. Declare its game over. Winner counties will take it all-our land and share our allocations of the now 54 billion. But it would take us days to die-if we did it in a manner I have suggested-lying down and dying. Imagine over 1,000,000 people each lying down waiting to die. It would take years. Thus I conclude we strike out this idea. Can I get some yays?

Two, let us shake the leadership tree a bit. Call for mass action, protests and forcefully remove and replace all the current office bearers-government-with performers. It has been done elsewhere, it can be done. It is provided for in the constitution and thus all factors are working for us. Perhaps we need a new governor and senator? Perhaps. A total overhaul of the county government.

But let’s zoom in and analyse these leaders. Members of the County Assemblies (MCA’s) the least is paid, 200,000/- per month. Majority have houses, land and drive. So they are taken care of. Our big wigs-aka county billionaires-are all in the government except a handful. Taking them out could prove a toll order. Given our current state-many will still sell their resolve for 50/- again. This will weaken our forces. Some of us might end up in jail or dead. But who is ready to die knowing that he did so for nothing. I am not.

Let me digress.

In 2007 something had to change. We voted and killed one another, but still, we are, we are… we are. Let the county leadership work-after all it’s our votes that put them there. So, again, let’s strike this one out. An extreme idea, though doable.

Lastly…I am on the last action point bit with nothing to offer you my reader. Are we trapped in this abyss of poverty? Do we have a way out? A rope to climb on to perhaps; aha! We do.

It all comes down to you my reader. You are your own way out of poverty. We are our own way out of poverty.

Mahatma Gandhi said; ‘Be the change that you want to see in the world.’ I know you want so badly to live a better life. To provide for your family, secure their future, their education and lead a rewarding life. And you would like to die at the right time-not to be given a raw deal by death-due to poverty. All these we want, yes?

Then start by changing your mentality. Change your schools of thought. Look at things through a different lens. A lens of hope, responsibility, action and opportunity.

Let me digress a bit more.

In 2008, I went back to high school-Butere Boys-to collect my certificates. I was eager to meet the man who taught me how to be a man. Combining his teachings and that of my dear father-Mr. Litunya, I expected to come out a hybrid. Luckily he was in his office. I stepped in and he paused for a while. ‘Odenyo’ he called me. ‘Yes mwalimu’, I responded. ‘Have a sit. I know you have come to collect your papers…’ We talked for a while. As we almost concluded touching base, he said ‘from now, you are in charge of your life.’ My eyes welled with tears. I remained silent for almost a minute. The silence was loud. I reached out my hand and shook him one last time. I left.

They say that throughout one’s lifetime-expect many turning points. That my reader was my other turning point. I stopped blaming people for my situation. I went out and went all in.

What is my point; before it comes down to leadership and other factors that are not turning our wheels out of poverty, let us do our bit. Learn how money works. Work for money, save that money, learn how to invest that money.  Use your land to get loans, invest in agriculture, reap, seek profitable markets, save and repay your loan. This is how our ability to learn-education, comes in. Let us learn all that there is to know about money, the result will be unfathomable.

There is a way. All you need is a will. Eric Thomas said, ‘When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you will be successful.’ Imagine lying on your deathbed and all you needed to live was breathe and if you fail to breathe death awaits. I am sure you would marshal all your calories and inhale.

This is the same situation. If we want to come out of our poverty, then let us want it so bad and we will eventually succeed.

A rich household equals a richer county and an even richer country. Take the plunge!

George Odenyo Litunya

Communication Consultant, Trainer and Writer; +254(0)711998010; odenyo09@gmail.com

(Image Courtesy: Google)

‘To be or not to be?’ is one of Shakespeare’s greatest quote in his literary works. Well, should we or should we not rise above our limitations and soar to great heights? I choose, to be. Our journey is set. Destination clear, but something’s off. With everything in check what is holding us back then.

Kakamega County and we the people have for a long time been perceived as retrogressive. Nothing Luhya-rather western affiliated represents development. As a county and a people, we are walking time bombs.

Whenever I read articles relating to Kakamega County amid all the politics, development agenda, business, insecurity, infrastructure, agriculture…one question lingers in my mind. Can’t we do better?

Kakamega County. Home to the country’s leading sugar miller-Mumias Sugar Company, which sadly is at the brink of collapse. Kakamega where there is gold, but it is of no use to the local miners. Kakamega where farmers have land, but still end-up hungry. This is sad!

Factoring all these, the bold question has to be asked. Those with answers and solutions to come forth. It is time. It has been for a while now. What is Kakamega most serious problems? With this in mind, please, engage me.

The Fear Factor

As a county and people we started by abandoning our political parties. Failure to accord the parties and people proper representation both locally and internationally. Ask any aspirant which political party they would subscribe to and it will stun you. Our political leaders continue selling out our beliefs to other party leaders as if we are in situ. Walk into any bank and ask which people fear loans? Luhya will be part of the list.

It is this fear that has crippled us as a people. Fear to invest. Fear to maximize on our ability to devour knowledge. Fear that land will be taken away if you help that young lad secure a loan. Fear to say no, and stick to the people political causes addressing issues that affect the people. Fear that we will lose an election if we don’t stand our ground. Fear this and fear that.

Recently, Senate minority leader said that he doesn't want to be president. All he wants is for the removal of Uhuruto. Note that presently he is Western’s political mover if I may, but really? Whose vote will make this a reality? I believe that my vote is my ticket for a better tomorrow and not to fulfill someone’s agenda.

Did you know that Luhya are among the most learned people in the country presently? But what are we doing with these human resources? Where do we hide? We are playing it safe, which is not an option. We must risk it to reap it.

Failure is okay. As one successful author put it, I will fail my way to success. A lesson I hold onto. We should get off the wagon of fear and try things. As we wait for the deputy president to reduce the levels of bureaucracy in the Uwezo fund, let us start the process of getting that money and use it.

Lack of unity

A chain is as strong as its weakest link. And there is nothing worse than people knowing your weakness. The earth is filled with opportunists, they will capitalize on this. As a people we are used to compete the circuit, we are but a conduit. Without us, current is still present at the various terminals.

This rift is another recipe to our downfall. This reminds me of my primary school motto, ‘Together we succeed.’ I loved it. It is time we spoke with a unified voice, realizing that if we don’t then we have nobody to blame but ourselves. Ad you read that motto let it resonate with you. Let it be part of you.

Culture of giving back to society

Most of us know Bill Gates. There is an article titled ‘Reasons why Bill Gates name will live on’, published recently and in this article they were comparing Steve Jobs to Bill Gates. Although Steve Jobs is known as the king of innovation, Bill Gates’ generosity to give back to society-Melinda and Gates foundation, will immortalize him. People will not only remember him, but that will do so with a sense of pride for the lives he touched.

‘Blessed is the hand that giveth’, the bible says, ‘than the one that taketh.’ I once worked for an NGO whose tagline read, ‘Projecting hope. Changing lives.’ Every time I read it, I was psyched to go to the field and change lives. Truth, we did change the lives of the refugees.

In conclusion, most of our politicians are not development oriented. Only a few, are wired to think and implement the development agenda. The rest are passing time and luckily for them, making money in the process.

If you are well placed in society, have you ever thought of reaching down and lending that helping hand? If you are a youth or elder have you ever thought of risking it for the future? As a people, have you ever thought of sticking by your beliefs and most importantly people and if you are not on the same page-change their thoughts?

This might be insignificant, but that is how progress is made. To quote a Chinese saying, ‘A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step.’ Make that step! If we overcome these three problems, then we will live to be. Kakamega, land of the hopeful!

George Odenyo Litunya

Communications Consultant, Trainer and Writer

odenyo09@gmail.com| 0711998010

(Image by George Odenyo Litunya: Company Profile)

The common denominator between Marketing and Public Relations (PR), is writing. Writing is writing, and there are no two ways about it. So If you are in PR- like me - and you are a struggling writer, tick-tock, you ought to get your act together. Nonetheless, today we will dwell on a topic that has not been talked about for a while. What is a company profile? How do you write a company profile? What do you need to consider? And most importantly, why should you even write one?

What is a company profile; better yet, what is a profile? This is a detailed description of a person. In this article, let us replace person with company. Picture this, ‘You are seated, In that office, with your word processor fired up. The moment you start stringing words together, seamlessly, with the aim of letting your audience understand what your company ‘is/does’ - you are profiling your company. Thus a company profile is a document, video, slide… (Depending on the format you output it to) that contains factual information about a particular company. In this case your company.

What do you need to consider when putting together (writing) a company profile? The following subheads will guide you.

Who are you? Indeed, who are you? By asking yourself this question and answering it, you have the first page ready to go. This will include; whether you are a limited company, sole proprietorship or a partnership. The date the company was started and by how many people. In terms of services, what is it that you are offering the world. Is it in any way unique? Tell it. In addition, state your vision and mission statements. If you choose to add an organogram, the better for you. It adds strength and a sense of credibility to the profile. In answering this question, you are shedding light to the legitimacy of your operation. This adds a touch of professionalism and a boost to your credibility. Thus as a result you will gain the confidence of potential clients.

What do you do? In answering the ‘Who are you?’ Question-you highlighted what it is that you are involved in. It could be offering services (PR, Marketing) or manufacturing of products (Beauty products for instance). In this section you get to tell it in detail. Say you are in Corporate Branding and communication; you highlight your achievements with regard to this service. How long have you practiced it? What do you deal with, outdoor branding or stationeries found in companies. Do you do design and printing as well or you only specialize in designing of brand material? Equipping your potential client with this information narrows their enquiries down. When they make that call, they know full well that it is designing or printing that they are seeking or both. It is tantamount that you explain yourself, clearly.

Your work: this can be presented either of two ways. First, you can outline the clients and what you did for them as a company and or, actually outline the client and attach the work done. This comes in handy when you are a design company-since output can always be tangible. Thus all you need to do is insert a logo that you did, or a business card and so on. Once you have this, you have reeled them in. Potential clients want to see what you have done before. This is the sole reason why designers will be asked always to present their portfolios by clients they are pitching to. This is to prove to the client that a)you are what they are looking for or b) You are nothing they are looking for. A nugget for you to take home: always include your best work. By all means, keep what you don’t like out. It will do you good. Trust me. I know.

Where are you rather how do they get in touch? Location and contact information. This involves putting together all working contact information for interested clients to get a hold of you. Once you have this in place, save your profile in a format most appealing to you. More on the various formats we can save our profiles in our next blog post.

What to bear in mind; it is important to profile your company. Most startups, start with challenges-just like a baby trying to walk. It falls countless times due to feeble legs. As they struggle with finances, putting up a website can be costly, thus, a company profile can play the role of a website. It will give you visibility just as a website would give Safaricom, Airtel and the likes for instance. Company profiles are great marketing tools, with the advantage that you get to send them in someone’s inbox. They will get it there. Our challenge arises when it is due for opening.

Marketing gurus have simplified the definition of marketing for us. It is ‘Presenting your product, service and or company in a way that will trigger remarks!’ Causing ripples as those of us in PR will refer to it.

Writing forms the backbone of our practice. It is by knowing what to write about, that you will get to know how to write a company profile that will sell your company. So get busy and write that company profile. Who knows that new client could be waiting for a proactive marketing team. 

'Be so good, that they cannot ignore you.’ Steve Martin. These are words I hold dear, in my practice, and it applies to virtually anything we do in life. For this case, make that profile so good that, your potential client will definitely open it and read. In the hands of a potential client, it can clearly ‘talk’ to them about you. Happy writing!

Visit businessdictionary.com for more information.

The writer is a Communication & Public Relations (PR) academic and Practitioner, currently practicing Visual Communication in Nairobi, Kenya.

In our line of work, more often we are asked to stand before people and speak. Thus the art of public speaking,  and the reason as to why it is a unit taught in our institutions. Today however, we will not look at Public speaking as a skill, but at the way (s) to up our game.

Public Speaking coaches, will tell you that you need to prepare well prior to stepping on stage. Practice, practice, practice. If still in doubt, practice some more. Stand in front of a mirror, and speak. Stick out the tip of your tongue and make funny sounds. Solid pieces of advice.

One good piece of advice was from a coach and speaker who said, 'When on stage and fear-stage fright, creeps in, I always close my eyes and imagine a train approaching. As the train comes to a stop, I see stage fright boarding that train. The door shuts, and as the train starts to go, I see my stage fright going with it. I open my eyes. Feeling confident and ready to dazzle the crowds.' That is his process. What do you do?

Besides that, how do you ensure you are ready? First is by having your presentations ready. Take time and think about your presentation and the format you want it in and most suitable for your audience. As they say, 'Do what you preach'. Thus behold my video presentation.

Happy viewing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqcsPzqao3k&feature=youtu.be

(Courtesy: Google Images)

‘That is just PR.’, this is a statement I heard during one of the president’s speeches to the nation. If I can remember well, it was after the terrorist attacks that seemingly we have grown prone to. Public Relations (PR) indeed.

Life in its totality, is punctuated with different events. Some good, others, not so palatable. Times when beliefs are tested. Morals are shaken - trying times. In PR we call this, the start of a crisis.

As a country we are at the tipping point-with so many crisis potshots being aimed at us. Insecurity has become the order of the day. From where I am standing, the tipping point is nigh.

Over the past few months, we have lost so many of our country men and women, children inclusive to terrorism. With the latest being the Gikomba-twin blasts that left 10 for dead. Are you convinced that we are at the tipping point? You better be. Unless something is done, and done fast.

A midst all these, people have to act. Due to the failure and late response to situations, situations critical as acting on intelligence gathered beforehand, on the part of those responsible-the weight has to be carried by a few. Only a few, who specialize in Communication and PR. At least with the aim of convincing the few that, ‘Hey, we are doing something. It is not to our liking to have people die every day.’ Then whose liking is it?

Why aren't the security systems in the country not comparing notes with countries that have fought terror and actually won? You ask. A solid advice that came from Prof. PLO former anti-graft czar.

As PR professionals, we too need to roll up our sleeves and get to work. The big question is, where do we start? In a country, a government, a ministry that is not taking life as being priority number one above all else. A country where we walk the streets afraid, yet we have to, for despite times being hard, bread must be put on the table regardless of whether you lose your leg or arm in the process. Where do we seriously start from, when crisis has become common place?

Do we call for a press conference? Do we prepare public service announcements to be aired on our mainstream media? Do we appear at the scene with branded merchandise written on – Let us remain vigilant!? Do we call the families of the deceased and offer our deepest condolences or better yet, book space on our dailies to publish flowery obituaries of the departed? What do we do? What would you do?

PR is malleable and as we know PR professionals are jacks of all trades. We are needed in all situations and we melt into them and soon become part of it. However, we are needed more in times of crisis-like now! However truth be told, just as wells run dry, so do we. There are situations where even the best PR strategy fails to meet its objective. The strategy together with those executing it go numb.

Let us take a company for instance, if there is a crisis for the very first time-then we will be anxious to neutralize it and regain our client’s confidence. Our image will remain intact. It will be as if nothing ever happened. But if the PR department keeps preparing strategies to combat crisis in an organization, day in day out, week in week out, month in month out and year in year out-it gets boring. It simply fails to work. PR will fail to rise to the occasion. Who will you blame as the chief?

This is the state in which our Ministry of Internal Security has come to. Having time and again breaking news of attacks all over the country is in no way reassuring. Honestly the PR professionals in this ministry, if they exist and are qualified, are doing something. For to maintain whatever little he has left, as tainted as the image of the cabinet secretary is, they are the busiest department in the whole government.

But this time, it’s wise to know that at times like this even PR fails. So Cabinet Secretary and the government in totality, do not bank on PR. I advise that you move from mere ‘Kusema’ and dive into the ‘Kutenda’ part. It is long overdue.

Unless solutions to the problem-insecurity is found, then forget trying to lure the public into your corner, through carefully thought out PR strategies. For if you didn't know, the public is no longer in your corner. They dismantled it for fear of being blown away whilst counting on you and your empty rhetoric.

In the words of Leonardo da Vinci, ‘I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough. We must apply. Being willing is not enough we must do.’ As a PR consultant, my advice will be, act now!

It’s always the good side of the story we want. The hero in a movie filled with villains. Riches to rags story-with you as the main character-to inspire your peers. A side where flowers are thrown at you, as you walk on the red carpet, graced by a standing ovation, photo sessions and ultimately your face appearing on the cover of Forbes magazine. This is a perfect ending indeed.  But just take a moment and ask yourself what if?

(Crisis: Image source-Google images)

Steven Fink, ‘a crisis is an unstable time or state of affairs in which a decisive change is impending.’

The life we live is made up of two extremes. Good and bad. That is life, period. And this reality not only applies to our personal lives, but to the companies we work for as well.

What if one morning you find that you made the news: Scores feared dead after eating poisoned food. Mark you, the food was from your hotel. A plane crashes and kills everyone on board - a drunk pilot perhaps. Funds meant for a community initiative are embezzled to the last dime - attracting media attention. What if?

During such trying times, and they do come, the only sure remedy lies within the Communications and or Public Relations (PR) department. Pay-offs as most management executives like doing doesn't clear the air. It only freezes the issue until there is enough heat to thaw it. Then we are back at it again.

However, a well formulated and executed crisis communication plan (CCP) will and has always helped erase the past.

Crisis communication (CC) is hardly ever mentioned but truth be told-any company with a vision to grow needs this. As much as crisis communication experts may appear as angels of doom, let it be known, they are the bridge to the future. For who knows about tomorrow? Only God does.

Crises exist in almost every situation we involve ourselves in. According to Steven Fink, ‘a crisis is an unstable time or state of affairs in which a decisive change is impending.’ It is a relief if it doesn't happen. But it’s there, lurking, until when someone makes the mistake of pushing the door wide open. Even the best of moments are potential hubs of crises. Let it be known.

For instance, Jesus will come for a second time; to some it will be jubilation day. To others it will mark the beginning of a crisis. This is a time when sinners will reckon the words of the good book. They will make their petitions (Crisis Communication Plans) to Jesus (The PR Director) to save their souls. Whichever way we decide to look at it, a well-executed CCP will save the day, souls and the reputation and lifeline of our companies.

Coming back to reality-the Communications or PR department at Mumias Sugar Company (MSC) must be having a rough time. Who wouldn't?  Massive debts owed to suppliers; farmers opting to stop growing sugarcane on their fields. And when we thought it wouldn't get any worse - Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) has plans to set-up a million dollar Sugar Company in Turkana County. On other news stories, the county government of Kakamega has plans to set-up a tea factory in the same county. Is this too huge a blow for one company? Well, yes!

Additionally, according to the People newspaper; Butali Sugar Company in Kakamega County again, was closed down after a meeting to resolve prices of cane between growers and the company management failed. Is this a crisis? Again, yes!

On 12/08/2013 Kenya Airways lost 340M in revenues, following a fire at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in a statement that was released by the C.E.O. Typical aftermath of a crisis.

It’s happening all round us. To companies and worse of all the county governments which we have banked a large check - improved lives! Where will our help come from - look to the mountains. Whether we are not in the middle of it all - it’s not a relief. One crisis causes ripple effects which will be felt by that villager in the remotest of places.

In PR we like to use bench-marking as an operational frame work. By learning and studying past occurrences, we better our scope with regards to preparation and execution of our plans. Both presently and in the near future. From the cases I have just sighted it is imperative that we get something going. We should arm our companies and county governments just in case we wake up one morning only to find the world is not as we had left it the previous night.

To avoid soiling the company’s reputation or making such huge losses to the tune of millions - it all starts with an operational crisis communication plan. In the event it happens, it’s what comes next that matters.

So go ahead and prepare that crisis communication plan today. Have it tucked away in one of your folders on your computer or shelf. Who knows about tomorrow? Certainly not us. I will say this for free, nothing is as good as a crisis that is averted. But in the likelihood that it gets us, let if find us armed and ready with a CCP.

The writer is a Communication and Public Relations practitioner, working with Property Link Africa, Kenya.

odenyo09@gmail.com